When do you perform the heimlich maneuver?

Question

Am I right in thinking that if a person is coughing (but obviously choking on something), you don't do the heimlich... you only do it if they can't breathe?

Answer 1

you are suppose to wait until the person is unable to cough.  when they are coughing, they are able to breath.  once they are unable to breath you will no longer hear them coughing and may hear a high pitched whistle or nothing at all.  they will also start to turn blue usually around the mouth.

Answer 2

if they are coughing then air is passing through their larynx and the heimlich could be detrimental to their situation.  only do the heimlich if they genuinely cannot breath

Answer 3

The idea of the heimlich maneuver is to dislodge something stuck in the throat, allowing the person to breathe.

Answer 4

I took a CPR quick course last year, and learned that if they can cry, or talk, they don't need the Heimlich. If they can't speak or cry, then they need the Heimlich, and FAST!